The Columbia metro market recorded the largest gain in March with an additional 400 jobs, up 3%, compared with the same month in 2013, the trade group said. Overall, there were 14,900 employed in construction-related jobs at the end of the month compared with 14,500 for March 2103, the Arlington, Va.-based association said.

The Charleston metro area saw an increase of 300 jobs, up 2%, over the 12-month stretch. Construction employment totaled 14,500 in March compared with 14,200 for same month in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Greenville metro area recorded a slight gain of 100 jobs, up 1%, the association said. The construction industry in Greenville had 11,800 on the job in March compared with 11,700 for the same month in 2013.

The largest gain in the region was in the Charlotte market, which includes Rock Hill, the association said. Construction jobs in March totaled 43,000, up 2,900 or 7%, when compared with 40,100 jobs in March 2013.

In the Augusta market, which includes Aiken County, construction employment fell 2% to 11,200 jobs in March compared with 11,400 for March 2013.

Statewide, construction related jobs are up 4% or about 3,400 jobs the association said. About 85,800 people were employed by the industry in March compared with 82,400 for the same month in 2013.

Construction employment stands to suffer if Congress allows federal Highway Trust Fund to run out of money this summer, an association official said.

“It would be an economic travesty to put thousands out of work and undermine the construction industry’s recovery because Washington officials don’t fix a problem they’ve known about for months,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “This isn’t the kind of summer break hard-working craftsmen and women expect or deserve.”